Day 63 - Thursday 7th March 2024

Away from the motel this morning at just before 09:00, and soon Invercargill was behind me; I cannot say that I was sorry to say farewell! Onto State Highway 99, and I headed west with the snow capped mountains continuing to draw closer to my right.

The first stop at a place called McCracken's Rest; a viewpoint overlooking the ocean with the mountains tantalisingly glimpsed through the morning haze across the bay. A brief stop here before leisurely making my way onwards. The speed limit along this mainly empty road was 100kph, but I was quite happy toodling along at 80 and enjoying the scenery ... pulling in occasionally to let faster traffic past as it approached (I have a weird pride in not holding anyone up!).

I took a left off of SH99 to continue along the Southern Scenic Route, and I was getting closer and closer to the mountains. A stop by the side of the road as it was so quiet so that I could capture the moment, then back towards Te Anau again.

By now I had mountains on both sides; those away to the right were in sunshine, but away to the left Fiordland was enjoying the weather it's renowned for. Fiordland (which includes Te Anau along with the misnamed Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, neither of which are actually sounds!) enjoys an average of 200 rain days each year. The next stop was at a scenic viewpoint just off the road which provided ample warning of the weather I was driving into.

I'd programmed 'Te Anau Lions Lookout Point' into Google Maps, and a left turn off the main road took me up a narrow road, and a sign to the right. This place provided a fantastic view of Te Anau, the lake and the mountains beyond. It also felt like I was in a wind tunnel as the force of the wind made keeping the camera steady a challenge.

It felt too early to try to check in to my motel for the next four nights, so I decided to do a bit of reconnaissance for Sunday morning when I have a 07:30 depart from Manapouri on the Doubtful Sound trip. I had an explore and found where I need to park and check in on Sunday, and confirmed the trip at the office while I was there.

Then into Te Anau to explore the town and purchase a couple of things I needed. As I parked up, the rain finally caught up with me, so waterproof jacket on and a short wander into town. I found an outdoor sportswear shop that had the waterproof outer trousers that I think I'll need, so I found a pair that fitted and had a short leg ..... I now have no excuse for not going for a walk when I'm back home because it's raining! I paid a bit more that I'd intended, but I think I'm going to need them tomorrow from the looks of the forecast! Then to a pharmacy to get some insect repellent; apparently the sandflies at Milford Sound get you as soon as you open the car door!

I found a cafe for a coffee while I waited for the rain ease up a bit, then drove the last 5 minutes to my accommodation for the night located on Quintin Drive. All checked in, and plans made for tomorrow; I have a 11:15 boat trip at Milford Sound, and the owner of the motel I'm in recommends two and a half hours to get there, plus a 30 minute walk from the car park to the wharf, so I'll be away from here at 07:30 tomorrow at the latest.

A wander into town for an underwhelming Mexican meal (I won't be returning there), and then back to blog and vlog before bed.